Children’s art depicts quake

More than 200 paintings, drawings and sculptures by students from elementary and high schools in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, will be on display in Tokyo at the Fukushima Kids Art Exhibition. The works help shed light on their experiences in dealing with the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Event organizers hope to convey a message to the world with pieces done by children. The project is broad in scope — the contributors’ ages range from 7 to 18, their work sometimes graphically depicting events that took place on March 11, the day of the quake. Indeed, it’s a surprisingly powerful examination of the greatest disaster in Japan since World War II from the quake’s ground zero.

While the exhibition is free from Aug. 17-22, on Aug. 23 a small entry fee will be imposed due to a bigger itinerary for the day including professional live painting and performance from Tohoku dancers. All proceeds from the final day will go to art supplies and picture books for children in the regions of Japan that were hit hardest by the disaster.

“Fukushima Kids Art Exhibition: From the Region Devastated by the Tsunami, A Small Message” will be held at Zenrosai Building in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. from Aug. 17-23. Admission is free until Aug. 23 when ticket prices will be ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children of high school age and under.